Once again you have reached the end of your cell phone contract. You are now facing a decision that will dictate the next 2 years of your life. Here's some basic facts you should know and the questions you need to ask yourself to make sure your pick will be something you can live with.
Facts:
1. The big three (AT&T; Verizon; Sprint) allow you to upgrade your phone several months before your old contract actually expires. If you are happy with your bill and service than this is a good option if your phone is looking less than stellar.
2. If you pick a plan without a contract, your will be paying full price for your phone. The reason why you pay so little for your cell phone with a contract is that you are paying for the phone in installments through your contract. Plus cell phone companies get the phones at a subsidized price from the company. Not everyone can pay $1000 upfront for their phones.
3. Your plan may not be the best one out there. Once your contract is up you have every legal right to switch companies and keep your phone number. Regardless of what the cell phone provider says. You are the proprietor of your cell phone number. Just make sure you don't tell them first. Large companies have a strong legal system that will screw the average person. Just go to whichever company you want to switch too and do it. You don't need your previous provider's permission. This is a financial decision not a personal one. Cell phone companies don't have any loyalty to you. If they can they will try to keep you but not at the expense of lowering any prices.
Questions You need to ask and Answer honestly:
1. Is my current plan worth what I'm paying for it? I'm personally a data hog, therefore I need unlimited data so I don't get screwed with overage costs, therefore Sprint is a good option for me as they have unlimited data plans cheap. If your talker not a down loader you might go with something different. Verizon "offer's" these options, but if you check with other companies you realize you will pay twice as much with Verizon as you do with others, but they offer the best reception of the big three.
2. Can I get service when I need it? If you live, work and stay primarily in a city and the surrounding counties this isn't really a question for you. You can even have 4Lte service for your phone. If you however live in a rural area and need good service throughout because of work or other reasons picking and paying for the service is worth it. Here's a good trick. Find out which of your friends has what service, than invite them over either for a party or individually. Gradually work their phone service into a conversation and find out if they have service where you live. Don't go with a service when you can't get reception at your own home.
3. What type of phone do I need? The ultimate question for those of you who don't really follow the tech markets. I'm a full function smartphone person. My phone does everything plus has a strong enough battery for me to be on it all day, that's a 16 hour + day. Before my current needs I was very happy with a talk/text plan. Now I'm spoiled and having butt loads of data is awesome, but I use it, too. Having the bells and whistles is great if you use it. Don't buy something you won't use because you are just going to get confused. Your phone is a reflection of you and your life. If you don't need a smart phone don't get a smartphone. There are great phones out there that don't require data. Spend the time looking at the options. Touch and feel the options out there. Best Buy is a great store to do this as they display them all over the place and carry all the providers. The basic question comes down to which operating system you want.
4. Android, iOS, Windows? Each of these phones have specific specs that give you very different experiences. Are you a tinker and like to fully open your phone to all it's ability or do you just need it to work without you screwing it up? Your operating system (OS) comes down to this: What do I play music from. My wife moved us to iTunes and because of this I go with iPhone's because if I pick another phone I will never be able to access my music. This is the true question: Where do I keep and get my music from? Do you pay for internet Radio, do you work out and have a play list you listen to. Your smartphone is integrating your electronics into one device. What OS is best for you? This will be the true question that needs to be asked. If you don't do the whole music thing than you are freed up to pick the phone you want.
5. Am I a pocket person, a holster person, a bag person, or I take so many phone calls I keep it in my hand? Where do you keep your phone when your walking around? This is an important because of the size question. I'm a pocket person, so a phone the size of a tablet is not really going to work for me. My wife has a purse so size is really not a question. My mom is blind as a bat so she's got a really big phone. Like everything their are options out there for you. If you are a giant they have a phone that won't feel like a gnat. If you are petite they have a phone for you too. Don't get a phone that looks like you are giant or a phone that shows off how small your hands really are.
6. How many people are going to be on my plan? I have everyone in my family plus my mother on my phone plan. Therefore I need a plan that will carry unlimited texting for the kids, lots of data for me and plenty of talk time for my mother and wife. Kids tend to text so having kids means unlimited texting. Don't get caught with a $6,000 phone bill because you wanted to save 5 extra dollars on 200 texts per month when you have a kid(s). Texts cost cell phone companies nothing like .0001 of a cent but they have no problem charging you .25 cents or more on the dollar for each one you send and receive. This goes for phone calls and data too. Know your limits and don't expect kids to know theirs.
7. How clumsy are the people on the plan? I've literally seen children drop their phones to show their friends that Daddy or Mommy will go out and get them a new phone. Personally if my kid breaks his phone he ain't getting another one. You know why, because shit like that doesn't fly with me. However my wife drops everything, it's her nature. I don't on the other hand. I just turned in a phone without a scratch getting a 170 bucks toward a new phone. If you are clumsy or you have children you will need to invest in insurance. The deductible sucks but having to pay $1000 out of pocket sucks even more. Yes that is how much smart phones really cost. Even the talk/text phones cost in the $400 range. Get the Zagg Invishield along with a good case like Otterbox, Life Proof, Griffin Technology or G-Form. The cases like Life Proof and Griffin Technology don't require screens as they come with them, but are not cheap. The $50-$100 at purchase will more than likely save you a headache later on. Remember cases come with enough flair you don't need to worry about the actual phone color.
8. How much phone memory do I need? This is a good question. Normally 16g is a good number, but recently I've found that this is just not enough anymore, requiring me to upgrade to a 32g phone. Now because I picked an iPhone I don't have the option of upgrading my memory for my phone on the spot, where as if I picked a Galaxy 4s I can just buy a micro SD card and quadrupole my data. How many apps and information yo put on your phone is important for several reasons. 1) the more you have the more you can do with your phone; 2) the closer you are to your limits the slower your phone will operate; 3) If you destroy your phone by dropping it in water or getting run over by a truck having a detachable card allows you to pull the card and still have everything. If you just use your smart phone to call people than data is not a concern for you. If you live off your phone in the office and in your personal life having gigs of data is very important.
A cell phone at this point in life is not only a fashion accessory it is your access to the world while your on the go. And lets face it, we are on the go a hell of a lot of the time. Most people of Generation X and younger are are actually forgoing the traditional land line phone, moving to just the cell phone. You never miss a call unless you want to and don't need to deal with everyone trying to use the phone at the same time. Plus in this day and age of hyper-paranoia about our kids we can get a hold of them anytime, anywhere. The bottom line when your picking a cell phone and carrier is to make sure you get something you can afford each month, you get service where you need it and a phone that will last you years beyond your contract.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
Work Bag
As a para professional I've been required to do work at home. Because of this I am in need of a bag to carry to and from work. Due to me being a para professional I can pick any bag and no one says anything to me about my style or it doesn't look awful in a suit I don't wear. For Professionals a soft leather case is the way to go, sorry no back packs for you. Your bag is probably the most important thing as it is what people will see, therefore you want to represent yourself to the world as you know what the hell is going on even if you don't. The second most important thing is what you put in it. It doesn't matter if the farthest you walk is a few hundred feet from your car, if you have to carry things you will be seen and people make assumptions based on what they see. So don't give people a reason to doubt.
Your Bag:
Lets face it, people judge, especially in competitive environments. To make yourself above approach you need to look the part. This is why the bag needs to represent you. I preach a good day back in the 35L - 40L range of a good make. If you are flamboyant there are plenty of styles out there for you. If you are reserve a dark solid color is the way to go. If you not sure they have something out there for you. Spend the money because a good bag will last you for years. I don't like sling bags or messenger bags as it doesn't distribute the weight and they look like purses, and men don't wear purses no matter what the Europeans and current fashion says.
What goes in your bag:
As every professional knows a laptops are for primary use and tablets are a novelty. If you are effective with a tablet or wish to be I give you props. My hands are just to big to type on those little keyboards. If you are old school a Leather zippered portfolio is a good option. Personally I keep one in my bag when I have to transport files and hard copies, they tend to fit tablets as well without to much fuss.
The remainder of the things in your bag support your primary equipment (laptop, tablet, etc). You will need to include chargers for your phone, tablet, laptop and whatever electronics you carry. If you are wise you are trying to double up on your products to reduce cords. If you have a windows tablet and an iPhone you need two cords, but you only need one plug in as most chargers are USB cords plugging into a base. You should have a male to male 3.5mm jack, a good set of headphones, flashlight, a multi-tool (if work permits), 2-3 pens, 2-3 pencils, pink pet, lunch and a bottle of your favorite pain killer (Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, etc, vitamins, tums, etc), along with a minimum of a 4g flash drive unless you deal in large volume data than you might want to have a portable hard drive as well. Last but not lease you want laptop sleeves that are thick. I know that many bags have these pockets but I've not found one I'm comfortable with, double padding can't hurt. (If you are a backpacker you need to find one's with the opening on the end, messengers on the side.) Many of the bags padding will make uncomfortable to use because of their placement in the bag and not enough padding make it feel fragile on your back. Also you want a sleeve for your tablet as well which will more than likely go in the main compartment. If you have a nice leather bag these sleeves are going to be important to make sure your life doesn't end up in pieces.
Depending on your laptop, lunch and tablet your bag shouldn't weight more than 10lbs. This is key based on your physical health. Your bag should not be weighed down by useless things. Your bag is a representation of you, not a burden.
Your Bag:
Lets face it, people judge, especially in competitive environments. To make yourself above approach you need to look the part. This is why the bag needs to represent you. I preach a good day back in the 35L - 40L range of a good make. If you are flamboyant there are plenty of styles out there for you. If you are reserve a dark solid color is the way to go. If you not sure they have something out there for you. Spend the money because a good bag will last you for years. I don't like sling bags or messenger bags as it doesn't distribute the weight and they look like purses, and men don't wear purses no matter what the Europeans and current fashion says.
What goes in your bag:
As every professional knows a laptops are for primary use and tablets are a novelty. If you are effective with a tablet or wish to be I give you props. My hands are just to big to type on those little keyboards. If you are old school a Leather zippered portfolio is a good option. Personally I keep one in my bag when I have to transport files and hard copies, they tend to fit tablets as well without to much fuss.
The remainder of the things in your bag support your primary equipment (laptop, tablet, etc). You will need to include chargers for your phone, tablet, laptop and whatever electronics you carry. If you are wise you are trying to double up on your products to reduce cords. If you have a windows tablet and an iPhone you need two cords, but you only need one plug in as most chargers are USB cords plugging into a base. You should have a male to male 3.5mm jack, a good set of headphones, flashlight, a multi-tool (if work permits), 2-3 pens, 2-3 pencils, pink pet, lunch and a bottle of your favorite pain killer (Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, etc, vitamins, tums, etc), along with a minimum of a 4g flash drive unless you deal in large volume data than you might want to have a portable hard drive as well. Last but not lease you want laptop sleeves that are thick. I know that many bags have these pockets but I've not found one I'm comfortable with, double padding can't hurt. (If you are a backpacker you need to find one's with the opening on the end, messengers on the side.) Many of the bags padding will make uncomfortable to use because of their placement in the bag and not enough padding make it feel fragile on your back. Also you want a sleeve for your tablet as well which will more than likely go in the main compartment. If you have a nice leather bag these sleeves are going to be important to make sure your life doesn't end up in pieces.
Depending on your laptop, lunch and tablet your bag shouldn't weight more than 10lbs. This is key based on your physical health. Your bag should not be weighed down by useless things. Your bag is a representation of you, not a burden.
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